Hadrian's Wall would not have kept out that header from Rickie Lambert. He
wanted that goal so much. In meeting a corner after 70 minutes of this
enthralling friendly, he poured years of frustration and false starts, of
seemingly fading hopes and criticism of his lifestyle, into his first
international touch.

The look of unrestrained joy on his face as he sprinted away confirmed football’s ability to conjure up fairy tales. At 31, he has risen to England recognition via rejection as a schoolboy at Liverpool, hard labour in the lower divisions, working in a beetroot factory and losing weight before growing in stature at Southampton.

He had feared he might not ever hear England’s call, believing himself not a fashionable forward, but he kept working, kept scoring last season, and benefited from injuries to Andy Carroll and Daniel Sturridge to receive a surprise summons here. In the space of a week, he has now celebrated the arrival of his third child, his first cap, his first international goal and his first pitch-side interview in front of gesticulating away fans. He smiled throughout. No wonder. Lambert joined the illustrious likes of Jimmy Greaves, Bobby Charlton and Alan Shearer to score on his debut.

Lambert’s story is an example to all in the game who feel that the limelight always shines elsewhere. Persistence can be rewarded. As he wheeled away in celebration, England players chased him, their faces similarly lit up with delight. He is a popular character within the game because he is a grounded, likeable guy and also because everyone knows the obstacles he has overcome. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain led the chase, having got to know Lambert at Southampton.

Their glee was also laced with relief. Lambert rescued England from embarrassment here. Scotland have their technical limitations but Gordon Strachan had them well-organised in their 4-5-1 system, Kenny Miller was magnificent as the lone frontrunner, hounding Gary Cahill and Phil Jagielka, and their passion for the shirt was immense.

Scotland twice led, James Morrison and Miller seizing on mistakes by Joe Hart and Cahill respectively. England’s attacking edge was seen in good goals from Theo Walcott, Danny Welbeck and Lambert but defence remains an enduring issue going into next month’s World Cup qualifiers. England must not be so seduced by the romance of the Lambert story that they overlook the reality of another breached defence. Hart was caught out badly for the first, misjudging the ball’s flight. Cahill then fell completely and painfully for Miller’s clever dummy. Repeats of such lapses in Ukraine next month would make the 2014 World Cup even further away.

This was an instructive work-out, highlighting the fact that Wayne Rooney needs games and to sort out his impasse with Manchester United. It showed that Jack Wilshere and Steven Gerrard can blend in midfield. It proved that Tom Cleverley, often scrutinised for the exact nature of his contribution, does keep moves ticking over and plays exquisite passes.

It also confirmed the fierce rivalry between Scotland and England. Fourteen years after Scotland’s last visit, the fountains of Trafalgar Square were again full of men in kilts, and one man without any clothes, while the pubs of Marylebone heaved with members of the Tartan Army before the Tube dash north. When the England brass band stopped to tune up their instruments outside Wembley, some Scots danced in front of them with raised hand movements not found in the official book of reeling.

Auld acquaintance had not been forgotten. The rivalry scarred the pre-match anthems. England fans booed Flower Of Scotland and then the Tartan Army attempted to drown out God Save The Queen.

The players responded to the fervour, Scotland drawing first blood. Miller’s persistence earned Scotland a corner after 11 minutes. James Forrest curled the ball across, Welbeck headed out and Walcott inadvertently diverted it to Morrison. He nudged it forward, exploiting the slowness of Welbeck in particular to close him down. Morrison let fly, the slippery ball heading through a crowd of players but it should have been a straightforward save for an experienced keeper like Hart. He misjudged it as it dipped slightly and it dropped almost embarrassingly into the net. Braveheart 1 Joe Hart 0.

England needed a spark, someone to get them going. As the half-hour approached, Cleverley released Walcott, who sped into the box, deftly cut inside Steven Whittaker, and calmly stroked the ball left-footed past Allan McGregor. Walcott’s technique and quickness of decision-making and execution was too good for Scotland. His fifth international goal was his first for England at Wembley, and angered Scotland as Grant Hanley was being tended for an injury.

Ignoring the protests, Walcott smiled broadly as his team-mates ran to him, filled with relief. England settled, counter-attacking more confidently. Cleverley had a shot held and then England put together a fine move, begun by Wilshere. Rooney played the ball to Welbeck, who spirited the ball back into the path of his United team-mate. The shot slipped wide. Rooney did have the ball in the back of the net just before half-time but was wrongly flagged offside by Enock Molefe, the assistant referee from South Africa. Poor, poor decision. Rooney had timed his run to meet Gerrard’s pass perfectly.

The second half was even better. Scotland reclaimed the lead when Miller totally deceived Cahill, dummying to go one way, turning, throwing the Chelsea centre-half off-balance effortlessly before stroking the ball emphatically past Hart.

Staring ignominy in the face again, England responded quicker this time, equalising through more defensive sluggishness. Gerrard’s free-kick should have been cut out by the centre-backs but they allowed Welbeck to level with a fine downward header.

The game became fractious, players squaring up, and England seemed to be running out of ideas. Hodgson removed Rooney, who lacked true sharpness, and sent on Lambert. He made the most of Baines’ corner and could have had another, hitting the post. He still departed with England fans singing his name. His debut was a dream, but the memory remains of some nightmarish defending.